Kastellorizo Kastellorizo is the smallest inhabited Greek Island in the Dodecanese group, less than 5 km off the south coast of Turkey, about 100 km east of Rhodes. There are however many smaller islets in the area. Kastellorizo has been called different names in its history including, Castelrosso (the French called it Chateau-Roux), Castello Rosso or Castel Rosso, and Castel Ruggio. Its name was given by the medieval Knights of Rhodes and was inspired by its towering red cliffs rising from the sea which appear to be a medieval castle from a distance. Its ancient name is Meyisti or Megiste. Travel The Travel section was initially intended to assist with travel to our island. It will continue to be updated with exciting and interesting  information about how to travel to the island and what to expect when you get there. You can also contact our own correspondent in Louise Katris, who resides on the island. Your Kazzie news and recipes All contributors are welcome and encouraged to email their news, information, recipes etc to info@kastellorizo.com.au or post to:  Kastellorizian Association of  Vic 250 Dorcas Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Lost and Found This section has been operating now for several months and, after initially receiving a considerable number of emails, the activity has dropped off.  We would like to encourage you tocontact us, from any country, to obtain assistance with locating family members and/or descendants.  Please visit this section and advise if you can assist or enlighten. We are certain that this section will be interesting reading and we will be including this a section in our periodical Newsletter on a permanent basis.  Want to trace your family descendents? Go to the GENEALOGY SECTION  We have joined forces with Allan Cresswell in Western Australia who has been maintaining a database of Kastellorian family trees for more than 20 years. Details of access is available at the Genealogy section or by emailing info@kastellorizo.com.au General Events in 2008 Some events have been planned for this year and others will be added as we go.  Please refer to the EVENTS section for all detals. There are also fixed events such as the Kassie of the Year, St. Konstantine & Helen's Day, the Pan Dodacanese Association's picnic and Ball plus the very popular Megiste Tea Club afternoons and the Christmas Party.  ADVERTISERS & SPONSORS NEEDED We can provide considerable exposure for your organisation at low rates. This will also assist us with our fundraising and philanthropic activites. Our April 2008 Newsletter contains advertising/sponsorship rates for the Kazzie Newsletters and the Kazzie website. These introductory rates are very reasonable and we look forward to discussing how we can assist your business campaign or activity.  Note: the website is an effective means of reaching an interstate and international audience. Please contact us at info@kastellorizo.com.au for more information or contact John directly on 0412 662 079.

Saturday 29th Nov - Megiste Club 'Tavern Night' Bookings essential. Go to the Events section now and book ! All welcome - delicious food and entertainment provided. Latest Newsletter - July 2008 Edition is available at the Newsletter section It's a very comprehensive and informative edition which is a direct result of the huge input from our members and non-members. It also reflects the increased awareness by the Kazzie community and also an incredible response from the worldwide community. The latter is illustrated by statistics provided in the July Newsletter. Kazzies are everywhere it seems!  Your Assistance required If you can assist us with production of the Newsletter and Kazzie Communications then we urgently need your help. The publications are becoming quite large and therefore we need to re-design and revise the manner in which we produce these well-received publications. Your publishing skills would be most welcome. Interested parties should email to info@kastellorizo.com.au    Important news item    - Exchange Program -  The Oakleigh Greek Orthodox College of Sts. Anargiri hosted two (2) Kastellorizian boys for four (4) days as part of their student exchange program. The plan was for the boys (Panayiotis and Alexandros) to leave Greece in the week of 4th August and fly to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney then Canberra. Just to let you know that Alexandros and Panayotis left Australia after 3 glorious weeks. The positive reports of the boys is testament that this Australian Friend of Kastellorizo project has been very worthwhile. The AFK Co-ordinator in Marilyn Tsolakis mentioned that "we are delighted to be part of an organisation that is giving back to the youth of the island in such a magnanimous way. The boys have been excellent ambassadors and we can be very proud of them". "Upon reflection this experience is one our parents and grandparents could have only dreamed about. What a great opportunity. Plans are underway for next year".   Working Party needed for - 'Future Directions Project'. In relation to the future directions of the club we are calling for interested and keen persons to form a new working party to discuss options etc and report back to the committee.  Enquiries to Michael Spartels, President.  St Martins Theatre - "Thrills and spills and curtain calls" A new and interesting afternoon event - see 2008 Events section for more information. Sarah Austin (Verginis), Artistic Director at St Martins Youth Arts Centre presented an interactive lecture exploring the creative aspects of making theatre by and for young people and how young people can get involved in performance. The function was held on Sunday 15th June (2 to 5 pm) at the Kazzie Clubrooms and refreshments were provided. The afternoon was an outstanding success and please refer to the July 08 Newsletter for a Report.

From Left to Right: George Verginis (Vice President), Professor Hadjiyiannakis, Michael Spartels (President)  President of the world Association of Kastellorizians visits Australia   In August this year Professor Evangelos Hadjiyannakis and his wife Mrs Kiriaki Coster Efstratiadis-Hadjiyannakis visited Australia. Professor Evangelos Hadjiyannakis was in Australia to attend the XXII International Congress of the Transplantation Society that was held in Sydney between the 10-14th of August, 2008. Both he and his wife also took the opportunity to also visit the many Kastellorizian Associations through out Australia.  On Saturday the 16th of August, the Committee of Kastellorizian Association of Victoria welcomed Professor Hadjiyannakis (President of the World Association of Kastellorizians) and Mrs Kiriaki Coster Efstratiadis-Hadjiyannakis (President of the Educative and Cultural Society of Kastellorizo) with a cocktail reception. Also in attendance was Mr Christos Salamanis, Consul General of Greece. The reception was held at the Associations Clubrooms in South Melbourne. During the reception Professor Hadjiyannakis was presented with honorary membership to the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria by the President, Mr Michael Spartels. Later, Professor Hadjiyannakis and Mrs Kiriaki Coster Efstratiadis-Hadjiyannakis presented Mr Michael Spartels and Mr Nicholas Patinyiotis (long time correspondent for the "Kastelloriziaka Nea") with a Diploma of Honour on behalf of the Worldwide Association of Kastellorizians and the Educative and Cultural Society of Kastellorizo. During his speech Professor Hadjiyannakis informed the guests about the current state of affairs in Kastellorizo. The atmosphere of the reception was relaxed. It was clear that everybody had a lovely evening catching up with news from Melbourne, around Australia and Kastellorizo. The Committee of the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria who extended their hospitality to Professor Hadjiyannakis (President to the World Association of Kastellorizians), and his wife included: Dianne Spartels (committee member), Michael Spartels (President), Sandra Varvodic (Secretary), Anna Miriklis-Defteros (Treasurer), Evelyn Salvaris (Committee & Editor) , Mrs Kiriaki Coster Efstratiadis-Hadjiyannakis (President of the Educative and Cultural Society of Kastellorizo), Consul General of Greece, Mr Christos Salamanis, George Verginis (Vice President) and Mr Nicholas Patinyiotis (Victorian Correspondent for the Kastelloriziaka Nea).